1. Articles of Confederation
Our fledgling nation’s first government.
Fraught with weakness
The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation led to its demise.

2. Articles of Confederation
The Big Idea
The Articles of Confederation provided a framework for a national government.
States would retain sovereignty
Founders were fearful of concentrated power due to past experience with the British

3. Articles of Confederation
You Must “Take” a Position!!
Do you agree with creating a Government with limited powers? Why?
Do you disagree with the government having limited powers? Why?
What other “solutions” could they use to govern the new nation?

4. Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation
No Executive Branch, president only presided over Senate.
No common currency.
States=Thirteen different countries
Difficult to change the Articles and pass laws
States more powerful than the Fed.

5. Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation
A Limited Government
Articles established a “firm league of friendship” among the states
Bills were passed on nine of thirteen votes
Amending the Articles took unanimous consent of the states

7. Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation
Land Ordinance of 1785 to raise money to pay debts.
Ordinance provided for surveying and dividing western lands.
Land was split into townships.
Each township was divided into lots for
Northwest Ordinance of 1787.
Established Northwest Territory and a system for creating new states
Included what are now the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
Required the provision of public education and banned slavery

8. Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation
Congress had NO Authority:
No power to raise funds for an army or navy
No power to tax, impose tariffs, or collect duties
No executive branch to enforce laws
No power to control trade among the states
No power to force states to honor obligations
No power to regulate the value of currency
Congress had the authority:
Declare war and make peace
Make treaties with foreign countries
Establish an army and navy
Appoint high-ranking military officials
Requisition, print, and borrow money
Establish weights and measures
Hear disputes among the states related to trade or boundaries

9. Final Demise of the Articles
SHAY’S REBELLION
An uprising of farmers over heavy debt caused by state policy.
Pointed to glaring weaknesses of the Articles.

10. Shays’ Rebellion
Shays’ Rebellion was a series of violent attacks on courthouses and other government properties in Massachusetts.
At the time of Shays’ Rebellion, the newly formed United States was governed by the Articles of Confederation, a document that many in the country felt was too weak to effectively manage the fledgling nation.
The specter of Shays’ Rebellion informed the debate over the framing of a new U.S. Constitution, providing fuel to Alexander Hamilton and other Federalistswho advocated for a strong federal government and diminished states’ rights.
Nationalists used the rebellion to heighten paranoia, and George Washingtonwas convinced enough by their arguments to come out of retirement and take part in the Constitutional Convention, where he was elected the first president of the United States.

11. Constitution of the UNITED STATES
The leaders of our country decided to change the Articles.
Instead they devised a plan that would revolutionize government as they knew it.